By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection (GCSP), Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, on Wednesday, 19th February 2025, engaged some senior female journalists in a dialogue on media collaboration, gender issues, and the media’s role in advancing women’s rights.
Welcoming the journalists, the Minister expressed deep appreciation for their presence, emphasising the significance of the engagement for both her and the Ministry.
“This is a gathering of women to discuss women’s issues and how we can create space for ourselves to be seen and heard,” she stated.
Dr. Momo Lartey also underscored the crucial role journalists play in shaping public perception and policy advocacy, stressing that the media has a unique responsibility to amplify women’s voices and highlight gender-related challenges.
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to gender equality, child protection, and social welfare, aligning with the President’s vision of reducing vulnerability to the lowest possible level.
She assured that the Ministry is working tirelessly with stakeholders to realise this vision within the shortest possible time.
On the issues of Affirmative Action and Legislative Priorities, Dr. Momo Lartey, outlining key priorities for her first 120 days in office, emphasised the need to accelerate the implementation of the Affirmative Action Bill.
According to her, the Bill, which seeks to promote greater representation of women in decision-making spaces, must be understood, embraced, and effectively utilised by those it is designed to benefit.
She further highlighted the Social Protection (SP) Bill, describing it as a critical piece of legislation that must be passed and fully implemented to strengthen Ghana’s social protection system.
On education and child welfare, the Gender Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to improving and decentralising the Ghana School Feeding Programme.
She emphasised the importance of food quality in schools, stating, “If you cannot feed it to yourself or your children, don’t feed it to others”, quoting directly from the President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama.
Dr. Momo Lartey hinted at her ministry’s partnership with the Ministries of Finance and Education to roll out a free sanitary pad distribution initiative for schoolgirls, ensuring that menstrual health is no longer a barrier to education.
The Minister also touched on the government’s efforts to expand access to free tertiary education, noting that the MoGCSP is collaborating with the Ministries of Education and Finance to ensure Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and students from disadvantaged backgrounds can pursue higher education for free.
Women’s Empowerment and Economic Development
Speaking on women’s empowerment, the minister highlighted the upcoming Women’s Development Bank, which will provide financial support for women entrepreneurs, enabling them to grow their businesses and contribute to national development.
She urged journalists to spotlight such initiatives to inform and inspire more women.
On gender-based violence, the Minister called for amendments to the Domestic Violence Act to enhance its effectiveness. And also announced plans to establish 16 shelters, one in each region, to provide rapid response and safety for survivors of abuse.
The establishment of 16 shelters across the country, she noted, forms part of the John Mahama-led government’s commitment to protecting victims of abuse.
The Gender Minister further urged journalists, especially the females, to use their platforms to challenge harmful cultural practices that hinder gender equality.
“As a Ministry, we are committed to partnering with you to ensure gender equality is achieved,” she affirmed.
On their part, the female journalists congratulated the Minister on her appointment and pledged their unwavering support to her and the Ministry in championing gender equality and social protection in Ghana.
They confirmed that the meeting was the first a Minister of the sector has held with female journalists and noted it as a sign of the positive transformation the Ministry was about to go through.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Director, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, and the Social Protection Director, Madam Francisca Atuluk.
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